The Ben Nevis
1147 Argyle Street
There’s nowhere else quite like The Ben. Its interior is a modern interpretation of a Highland blackhouse, with a roaring fire, excellent folk sessions and, crucially, a carefully curated whisky list covering everything from classics to rarer finds and indie bottlings. Beer taps are rotational including cask ales and modern pales.

The Bon Accord
153 North Street
The Bon Accord has endured the construction of the M8 motorway and the death of its owner, Paul McDonagh, in 2023. Now in the safe hands of his son, Thomas, it remains one of the top spots to enjoy a dram in Scotland. It also has one of the city’s best cask ale selections.

The Lismore Bar
206 Dumbarton Road
The Lismore has everything you could want in an old-school boozer: a fireplace, folk sessions, splendid drams, great beer, stained-glass windows and a dark-wood interior. It’s basically the distillation of a warm hug. Plus, it has the only urinal in Glasgow you could justifiably describe as a tourist attraction.

The Pot Still
154 Hope Street
Thanks to the love and dedication of the Murphy family, this is undeniably Glasgow’s archetypal whisky bar par excellence. The selection is staggering, covering not only all regions of Scotland, but much of Britain, Ireland and the world. Perhaps more importantly though, it has one of the best atmospheres anywhere in the city.

The Wee Whisky Bar
12 Ashton Lane
This teeny drinking den has just had a glow-up but still feels very much like The Wee Pub it once was, albeit with a lick of fresh paint. The selection isn’t quite as strong as before, but it remains a wonderfully cosy spot to while away an evening.